Safety Alert 119 | Electric Shock
A 4th year apprentice was working with a team on light fitting change overs in an old school building.
The apprentice started on site at 7 am and the team completed a Job Safety Analysis (JSA).
The apprentice observed the tradesperson’s isolation including sample testing of the lights within the room they were working in to confirm isolation. Once isolation was complete, the apprentice was tasked with installing new fittings where the existing fittings had been removed previously and cables left in place.
The apprentice started at one end installing new fittings on existing hanging mounts using the existing hanging cables. Each row consisted of approx. 7 lights per hanger. The apprentice started at one end of the hanger and correctly followed Test Before you Touch process when installing the first two fittings. At the third fitting, the apprentice assumed that if the first two fittings were de-energised the rest would be too and proceeded to install the new fitting without testing the existing cable with a volt stick first.
After fixing the fitting to the hanger the apprentice brushed the bare copper on the end of the existing cable (pre stripped) with their hand receiving a shock across their finger. It was later found that this and one other fitting was on a separate circuit to the rest of the room and was not labelled correctly and was energised.
The RCD on the circuit did not trip so it is presumed that there was not enough earth leakage to operate the RCD. The RCD was tested and was found to be operating correctly.
The apprentice did the right thing and reported to their supervisor immediately, allowing the host employer and EGT to arrange a medical exam straight away. An ECG was carried out and the apprentice was cleared of any effects.
The site was also made safe immediately.
After the anomaly was found in the labelling and layout for the room, the tradesperson made the decision to isolate the entire building until works were completed.
Remember your ABC – Assume nothing, Believe no-one, Check everything
Root Cause
1. Job/System Factors: Inadequate work practice – The previous tradesperson should have updated labelling to clearly show that a different feed was mixed into the line labelled otherwise.
2. Inadequate work procedures: Improper procedure – Test Before you Touch process had not been carried out after changing work positions.
Contributing Factors
- Test Before you Touch – The apprentice did not follow the Test Before you Touch process after changing work position
- Previous works – previous works carried out where not clearly labelled to identify changes in circuits along a single string of lights.
Recommendations
- EGT apprentices are to ensure the “Test Before you Touch” process is followed prior to commencement and re-commencement of all work activities
- EGT apprentices must ensure that they DO NOT work in the vicinity of live parts. Witnessing the isolation procedure (done with a meter, not a volt stick) and placing your own tag with your supervisor’s tag before doing a final test before you touch with your volt stick is best practice.
- EGT apprentices should always be aware of their surroundings and the possibility of live circuits or conductors, regardless of the isolation especially in older building.
Further Resources:
For further information regarding this Safety Alert, please contact EGT on (08) 6241 6100 or talk to your Field Officer.
